The Cunningham Center for Compassionate Aging
Dementia's impact extends far beyond those diagnosed, profoundly affecting their families and caregivers. The Cunningham Center for Compassionate Aging, part of Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG), compassionately provides support to dementia patients and their care partners.
Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) has been selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the GUIDE model that aims to support people living with dementia and their unpaid caregivers.
The GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Model Program
The (CMS) GUIDE Model’s Purpose is to:
- Improve quality of life for people living with dementia by addressing their behavioral health and functional needs, coordinating their care for dementia and co-occurring conditions, and improving transitions between community, hospital, and post-acute settings.
- Reduce burden and strain on unpaid caregivers of people living with dementia by providing caregiver skills training, referrals to community-based social services and supports, 24/7 access to a support line, and respite services.
- Prevent or delay long-term nursing home care for as long as appropriate by supporting caregivers and enabling people living with dementia to remain safely in their homes for as long as possible.
Qualifications for (CMS) GUIDE Model Program Service:
- Patients who have a Diagnosis of Dementia
- Traditional Medicare Parts A and B as their Primary Insurance
- Reside within the service area zip codes
- Are Not Enrolled in Hospice
- Are Not Living in a Long-term Care Facility
Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience
- (GUIDE) model offers a comprehensive package of services including care navigation, caregiver training, resources, a Home Safety Assessment and a 24/7 advice line.
- Persons LIving with Moderate or Severe Dementia who qualify will have new Respite Care coverage of up to $2563 a year.
- Click to view this CMS Dementia Care Infographic.
Dementia Screening Clinic
A multidisciplinary team of medical experts – a neuropsychologist, palliative medicine physician, pharmacist,
social worker, nurse navigator, and others – come together for these comprehensive brain health assessments.
The three-hour evaluations involve both the individual undergoing the assessment and their care partner. They
focus on the patient’s physical health, cognitive status, personal safety, and emotional well-being. The
assessments include:
Assesses important aspects of brain function including attention, memory, language, reaction time, and perception.
Focuses on identifying potential causes for memory issues that are unrelated to dementia and overall health.
Involves a review of the patient’s medications – prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbals, and supplements – for their risks, benefits, side effects, and interactions.
Includes a discussion of the patient’s living environment, financial situation, caregiver concerns, advanced directives, and more.
Screens for balance, mobility, and safety.
Includes vision, hearing, and olfactory (sense of smell) screenings.
Alzheimer's and Dementia Care
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program provides the support people with dementia and their care partners need to continue living in the community. Joining the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program requires:
- An active diagnosis of dementia – or a related condition – from a primary care physician, neurologist, or other health care provider
- That the patient is living at home or in a home-like setting and is not in hospice care or a custodial nursing home
- A patient-care partner team (e.g., a husband and wife or an adult child and parent)
Here’s an overview of how the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program works:
This 90-minute, in-person visit with our dementia care specialist takes place at the patient’s home or
at the Cunningham Center for Compassionate Aging. The discussion – which includes the patient and
their care partner – is designed to help our dementia care specialist learn about your day-to-day living
routine, challenges you face, resources you need, and more. Topics discussed include, for example: Medical
conditions beyond the dementia diagnosis; emotional issues; network of family and friends; transportation;
activities and recreation; diet and exercise; advance directives; financial management; and care partner
stress.
After the initial assessment, our dementia care specialist develops a care plan in partnership with your
primary care provider. This comprehensive plan is your Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program roadmap. Each plan is crafted to meet the
unique needs of the individual dementia patient and their care partner. For example, adult day care services
may be recommended for a dementia patient whose care partner works. Home meal delivery could be included in
the plan for a dementia patient with specific dietary needs.
Communication is an important feature of the Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program. The patient, care partner and the Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program
dementia care specialist communicate often by phone or during in-person visits. Each year, or more
frequently, they meet to discuss the dementia patient’s ongoing and emerging needs. Additionally,
care partners who need assistance or advice have around-the-clock phone access to the Alzheimer's and Dementia Care team 365-days a
year.
Our dementia care specialist works closely with the dementia patient’s primary care provider to
develop, implement, and evaluate the customized care plan. That’s why it’s important that the
patient have regular medical appointments – at least two times a year – with their primary care
provider.
Our expert team develops a complete report based on information gathered from the
assessments. The report includes follow-up recommendations, specific suggestions, and an
assessment of the patient's cognitive health. The report is shared with other health care
providers designated by the patient.